Who Is Affected The Most In Fetal Stress – Mother or Baby?Fetal distress is described as stress to the baby not yet born. It can be identified by conducting a test called fetal stress test. The most frightening part of the pregnancy, this syndrome can occur during the labor time, about which most of the women are unaware of this disorder. Having knowledge of the problem is helpful for the mother to remain calm and relaxed at the time of labor, even at the occurrence of fetal distress. This problem is faced by the expectant mother, in the labor room at the time of active labor. When this syndrome occurs, the baby’s heart rate becomes unstable, as a result of lack of oxygen in its blood. An urgent delivery is then required; usually a c-section, especially when the baby could not struggle against the stress of labor.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF FETAL DISTRESS A less fetal movement is always noticeable to most of the moms. They then know that their baby is facing fetal stress. For this purpose a fetal non-distress test is usually recommended. In this test the fetal heart rate and movements are observed through a monitoring machine, keeping the mother at rest. Usually the fetal distress is caused by less space in the mother’s womb for the baby, but checking it is quite important. While the baby is being delivered, a special external fetal monitor is used in order to monitor the baby’s cardiotocographic progress, to detect whether there is any malfunctioning or not. An abnormal increase or a decrease in the baby’s heart rate or even an irregularly changing heart rate denotes that there is some abnormality. At the final stage baby’s blood sample is taken by pricking the scalp at the stage when the head enters the birth canal. This is to detect if there is any biochemical sign of an abnormality. There are two main things to keep under consideration. The first one is : fetal acidosis, and the second one is : lactic acidosis. The meconium that is found in the fluid inside the womb should also be verified.
WHY FETAL STRESS OCCURS? There may exist a large number of complications that could cause fetal stress. The first one of them is related to breathing irregularity. For example, if the baby takes his breath in the amniotic fluid the fetal stress might start. In case there is not sufficient oxygen for the mother during the labor process, this can also stimulate the fetal stress. The improper positioning of the baby at the time of active labor can yet be another factor to cause fetal stress. In case of multiple pregnancies the fetus might go under stress at the time of birth. There is another state called shoulder dystocia that causes fetal stress. This is the stage when it is impossible for the shoulder to pass through the pubic bone of the mother. The abnormalities found in the umbilical cord may also be causing fetal stress. There might be a prolapsed umbilical cord or there might be a knot development in the cord. The cord may also get entangled in the baby’s neck to cause fetal stress. However, such abnormalities can be detected and adjusted by the doctor at the time of birth or even prior to it.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE THE FETAL DISTRESS
There are various stress tests that can be applied on the baby in order to detect fetal distress. Usually it is monitored externally by adjusting sensors on the abdominal part of the mother. The baby’s heart rate is also monitored and the contractions are also recorded according to their rate and level. In case of any fear of fetal stress, a monitor is connected to the baby’s scalp through its birth canal so as to have more accurate readings. In the beginning of the gestation period, the fetal stress can also be detected by using fetal no stress tests. These consist of longer durations of observing movements and heart rate of the baby while the mother is in a resting position.
HOW TO TREAT FETAL STRESS?
There is only one treatment for the fetal stress and that is the delivery. If the stress starts during labor time, the concerned doctor should expedite the rate of delivery. In case the labor time has not come yet, then a c-section is must or the labor may also be induced artificially. The main objective is to get the baby delivered at the earliest. This type of treatment might be worrying for a mother who has not yet reached the end of her pregnancy state. The premature state of the baby is less complicated than the complications arising from a birth under fetal stress. So one should always confide in the doctors, trust them, and in case of any sign of fetal stress, the only way left out is the immediate delivery.
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